Originally posted by XeomanI don't blame you legacyme3. I got more into politics over the last year or two (like everyone, maybe I'm riding the phase too!), but I honestly tend to think off and on it was a mistake and I should just go back to being ignorant and just caring about my own life and interactions. I was happier and gave no energy or time into these situations and issues I ultimately can't really do much about. There will always be monsters out there.
(not saying you're being ignorant though, hope that makes sense!)

No, I definitely get what you are saying, so have no fear! To an extent, I'm somewhat ignorant, but I'm mostly apathetic.

I stay up to date on world news, enough to know I have reason to be afraid, and enough to know that we probably made a mistake last November, but not enough to say I'm deeply into the world of politics.

I'm a lot happier as a result, because nothing I do in that arena is going to lead to anything of value for me. I've said my piece, I've left my votes, and I have spoken with several people about how I feel.

But I live in Southern California, a state that is already ridiculously liberal. My vote means next to nothing, simply because I don't live in Florida or another "battleground" state.

Politically, I am uninterested, because I know my vote means nothing. I do think voter apathy (and politics apathy!) is a real thing, and it can't be averted. I do think a good way to get people to care more is to have their vote mean something. If my vote meant as much as a vote in Florida, maybe I'd be more inclined to care, and sacrifice personal happiness.

I just don't see the value in sacrificing personal happiness, in the name of adding to the California dog-pile that will count for the same, regardless of whether or not I vote, care, or show interest.

Local politics are far more important, and I enjoy taking part in those, because it feels like the voice the individual has, matters.

I hate feeling apathetic about world matters, but it's just a zero-win game for someone who has no say, so I generally think it's healthier to distance one's self, and focus on things you enjoy. I don't know your situation, but I would always advise having a little more fun, particularly if we are nearing so called "end days"

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Originally posted by RogueI live close enough to L.A. (and work A LOT closer), a possible target, that the whole conflict is constantly simmering on a back burner in my mind. I try to not think about it, especially since I have so much else going on in my life that's causing massive amounts of anxiety.

I live about 50 miles from LA, so while I'm not "right on the target", it definitely spooks me that LA is a target. Because 50 miles isn't really that far away when you are talking about nuclear missiles.

Originally posted by legacyme3What was the air-raid siren for, if not for us being nuked? Legitimately curious now.

No clue. Maybe they were testing it? Scared the shit out of me.

I live close enough to L.A. (and work A LOT closer), a possible target, that the whole conflict is constantly simmering on a back burner in my mind. I try to not think about it, especially since I have so much else going on in my life that's causing massive amounts of anxiety.

I don't blame you legacyme3. I got more into politics over the last year or two (like everyone, maybe I'm riding the phase too!), but I honestly tend to think off and on it was a mistake and I should just go back to being ignorant and just caring about my own life and interactions. I was happier and gave no energy or time into these situations and issues I ultimately can't really do much about. There will always be monsters out there.
(not saying you're being ignorant though, hope that makes sense!)

Originally posted by RogueTrue story: I was eating lunch with my clients a few days ago when an air raid siren went off in the area. I just stared into the middle distance, heart racing, very sure that we'd been nuked and I was about to die.

I pulled out my phone and texted Bran that I loved him. He texted back an animated gif of a corgi twerking with a heart on its fluffy butt.

With the high anxiety that I feel almost constantly these days, paying any attention to this ongoing saga of shitty international relations is just making it worse.

What was the air-raid siren for, if not for us being nuked? Legitimately curious now.

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As for me...

I'm just living my life, knowing nothing I do is going to likely have any effect on whether we go to war or not.

And if everything does fall apart? Well, it was a good run. I understand the anxiety and fear, and all of that. I definitely don't want to experience dying this soon.

But I also know that all things fall eventually. We just don't know the day or the hour.

I don't know if I'm cynical, just viewing it nihilistically, or what, but I treasure each day I'm alive at this point, because it's possible tomorrow is the end, for real.

True story: I was eating lunch with my clients a few days ago when an air raid siren went off in the area. I just stared into the middle distance, heart racing, very sure that we'd been nuked and I was about to die.

I pulled out my phone and texted Bran that I loved him. He texted back an animated gif of a corgi twerking with a heart on its fluffy butt.

With the high anxiety that I feel almost constantly these days, paying any attention to this ongoing saga of shitty international relations is just making it worse.

Yeah, it's a huge mess. If sanctions and economic pressure continue to do nothing I'm not sure what options are left. I think China needs to budge more and it's still hard to tell if we can trust them. But South Korea and Japan obviously want them gone. Can you even imagine a giant missile flying over your country with a national warning and alarm sounding, twice in one month? I can't fathom what Japan are feeling right now. The other issue is that North Korea has like 30 million people, the unfortunate truth is a lot of them are probably unhealthy with malnutrition and other issues too, so I don't think China or South Korea would be that willing to take their people in. Best case scenario is that the clown gets axed for a regime change that works for once, but other than that I have no idea. The longer this goes on the more dangerous it might get though.

I really hope that it does not come to that, but I know that a lof of us in the States are seriously worried that it may in fact happen. We just need someone to follow both of them around and wave something shiny in front of them as a distraction every time they start going at each other.

So, due to Trump's absolute bakaness and KJU's threats, we might be seeing a US - NK war... I'm hoping it won't happen as I don't want my country to be involved with it nor do I want Avery getting affected (as well as many other people)...